Daily Market Insight

• US initial jobless claims fall to eight-month low to end 2024 • US manufacturing PMI shows mild contraction, below expectations • Eurozone factories felt little holiday boost in December • China's factory growth slows as the recovery continues to face challenges • China plans export curbs on battery parts, mineral technology • The dollar gains ground in 2025 due to its underlying strength

• Russia and Ukraine halt gas transit to Europe after 50 years • China’s services activity jumps as stimulus lifts local demand • China's manufacturing grew in December, but missed forecasts • South Korea’s exports rise with increased demand from China • South Korea's inflation rises as political unrest grows • Dollar strengthens on Fed caution and Trump trade issues

• US goods trade gap widens in November • Yellen announces that the Treasury will reach the debt limit by mid-January • Japan's factory activity shrinks at slower pace • China urges local governments to give cash handouts for New Year • US Dollar fluctuates as caution continues at year-end

• U.S. jobless claims decline, but unemployment duration increases • Tokyo inflation rises as subsidies are temporarily removed • World Bank raises China's GDP forecast for 2024 and 2025 • The Japanese yen remains below 158 level after the release of Japanese data

• BOJ's Ueda avoids hinting at a January rate hike • China maintains key rate while withdrawing largest amount of cash since 2014 • November marked the fifth straight month of export growth for Thailand • The forex market stayed flat throughout the Christmas holiday

• October minutes reveal BOJ's debate on caution in rate hikes • China considers issuing record $411 billion in special bonds, according to Reuters • Thai Cabinet approves handouts, wage hikes, and tax breaks • Thai Cabinet endorses 1%-3% inflation target for 2025 • The dollar inched up on Tuesday amid light trading during the holiday period

• Orders for US business equipment rise by most in over a year • US consumer confidence declines as political uncertainty impacts outlook • Revisions show UK economy stalled after Labour took office • Honda and Nissan begin merger talks, aim for 2026 • Dollar recovers after sharp decline on Friday

• Fed’s favored inflation gauge cools to slowest pace since May • Biden signs US spending deal that averts a government shutdown • Michigan Consumer Sentiment matches expectations, improving from the previous reading • Fed's Hammack says dissenting rate-cut vote was due to inflation concerns • Dollar ends the week stronger following inflation data and the Fed’s rate cut

• US Q3 GDP revised to 3.1% on stronger consumer spending and exports • BOE holds interest rates, signals gradual easing in 2025 • BOJ keeps rates steady, but proposal hints at upcoming hike • Japan's core inflation accelerates, boosting BOJ rate-hike expectations • Pound weakens as Bank of England keeps interest rates unchanged

• Fed lowers rates by a quarter point and signals two cuts in 2025 • Powell signals the Fed's renewed focus on inflation • UK inflation jumps to eight-month high ahead of BOE decision • Thailand keeps key rate unchanged, citing increasing uncertainties • Dollar index reaches two-year peak following Fed's rate cut